COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 44812

Women's Clothing Stores

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

30companies1864–1996founding years30still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedNext plcFoundedNext plc
1864
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedAbercrombie & Fitch Co.
1904
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedArcadia Group plc
1917
FoundedEvans, Inc.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
FoundedThe Talbots, Inc.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedMervyn's CaliforniaFoundedMervyn's California
1949
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedLands' End, Inc.
1963
FoundedNew Look Group plc
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedCache IncorporatedFoundedCharlotte Russe Holding, Inc.FoundedKasper A.S.L., Ltd.FoundedKasper A.S.L., Ltd.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedChico's FAS, Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedUnited Retail Group Inc.
1989
FoundedDavid's Bridal, Inc.
1990
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyAmazon is founded; e-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedPrada Holding B.V.
1996
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Next plc →
Active · founded 1864 · United Kingdom
Next plc designs, manufactures, and distributes clothing and home furnishing and accessory items to nearly 330 Next…
Next plc →
Active · founded 1864 · United Kingdom
Next plc designs, manufactures, and distributes clothing and home furnishing and accessory items to nearly 330 Next…
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. →
Active · founded 1904
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. →
Active · founded 1904
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Arcadia Group plc →
Active · founded 1917 · United Kingdom
Arcadia Group plc, previously known as Burton Group plc, is the second largest clothing retailer in the United Kingdom,…
Arcadia Group plc →
Active · founded 1917 · United Kingdom
Arcadia Group plc, previously known as Burton Group plc, is the second largest clothing retailer in the United Kingdom,…
Evans, Inc. →
Active · founded 1929
Evans, Inc.
Evans, Inc. →
Active · founded 1929
Evans, Inc.
The Talbots, Inc. →
Active · founded 1947
The Talbots, Inc.
The Talbots, Inc. →
Active · founded 1947
The Talbots, Inc.
Mervyn's California →
Active · founded 1949
Mervyn's California, owned by retail giant Target Corporation, operates 267 department stores in 14 states.
Mervyn's California →
Active · founded 1949
Mervyn's California, owned by retail giant Target Corporation, operates 267 department stores in 14 states.
Lands' End, Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
Lands' End, Inc.
Lands' End, Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
Lands' End, Inc.
New Look Group plc →
Active · founded 1969 · United Kingdom
The United Kingdom's New Look Group plc is helping people dress smart for cheap.
New Look Group plc →
Active · founded 1969 · United Kingdom
The United Kingdom's New Look Group plc is helping people dress smart for cheap.
Cache Incorporated →
Active · founded 1975
Cache Incorporated is a publicly traded company that owns and operates a highly successful national chain of upscale…
Cache Incorporated →
Active · founded 1975
Cache Incorporated is a publicly traded company that owns and operates a highly successful national chain of upscale…
Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc.
Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc.
Kasper A.S.L., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1975
Kasper A.S.L., Ltd., the world's largest women's suit manufacturer, designs, markets, sources, manufactures, and…
Kasper A.S.L., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1975
Kasper A.S.L., Ltd., the world's largest women's suit manufacturer, designs, markets, sources, manufactures, and…
Chico's FAS, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Chico's FAS, Inc.
Chico's FAS, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Chico's FAS, Inc.
United Retail Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
With locations in 36 states, United Retail Group Inc.
United Retail Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
With locations in 36 states, United Retail Group Inc.
David's Bridal, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
David's Bridal, Inc.
David's Bridal, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
David's Bridal, Inc.
Prada Holding B.V. →
Active · founded 1996 · The Netherlands
Prada Holding B.V.
Prada Holding B.V. →
Active · founded 1996 · The Netherlands
Prada Holding B.V.
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